A Going Home XI

It’s the end of the group stages. Eight teams are going home, so the time has come to put together a team comprised of those who are now leaving. Good effort to all concerned – shame about your team-mates.

Imran Nazir – Pakistan – An awful World Cup for Pakistan, but the final innings for this young man in the highly emotional game against Zimbabwe was a masterpiece of hitting. 160 off just 121 balls with 8 sixes. It’s a shame he couldn’t do it earlier when it really mattered.

John Davison – Canada – Now no longer the scorer of the fastest World Cup hundred but still a force to be reckoned with, as New Zealand found out with a blistering 52 off 31 balls. Bizarrely not used at the top of the innings against Kenya, that decision could have made a big difference. Also successful with the ball, if somewhat expensive.

Steve Tikolo – Kenya – Another easy pick as Tikolo showed his class with bat and ball. A match winning 72 against Canada was followed by a rare failure against the Kiwis and 76 against England to keep the nerves jangling. Wickets as well although the bowling has gone from medium pace to slow.

Ravi Shah – Kenya – Where Tikolo failed, Shah succeeded with a classy knock against New Zealand.

Ryan ten Doeschate – Netherlands – Started with a fifty against South Africa, finished with 70 against Scotland, oozing class all the way through. It is easy to see why Essex rate him so highly. A big county season surely must follow. Also successful, if expensive, with the ball.

Sean Williams – Zimbabwe – Another batsman who bowls a bit, his 70 against the West Indies made the game competitive. A young player with a big future, Zimbabwean politics permitting.

Colin Smith(WK) - Scotland– In a disappointing World Cup for Scotland, Smith’s 51 against Australia was a big highlight. Stumping Mike Hussey in the same game will probably live long in the memory too!

Saleem Mukudden – Bermuda - Will have had Bangladesh in a state of shock after his early wickets left them at 37 for 3. Two wickets also against Sri Lanka, but, strangely, left out against India.

Elton Chigumbura – Zimbabwe – Just edges out teammate Gary Brent on the promise of things to come. Both were tidy. Both took wickets. Both did well in a group that was a lot tighter than was originally expected.

Billy Stelling – Netherlands – Not fit, but the captain dropped himself and he returns figures of 3 for 12 in 8 overs, ripping Scotland’s top order to pieces. This was a game that Scotland expected to win comfortably. Stelling ensured is was a low target for the Dutch to chase.

Mohammed Sami – Pakistan – Left out in favour of Rana Naved for the first match, he kept the Irish honest in that crucial game, removing Bray and Morgan early on.

Twelfth Man – Virender Sehwag - India – Looked like he was beginning to find some form, although a hundred against Bermuda for a man of his talent is scant consolation for what might have been had India qualified for the Super Eights. It was still more than his illustrious colleagues managed though.